ELECTROCHEMICAL SYNTHESIS OF CuO AND TiO2 NANOPARTICLES FOR DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS

Abstract

Different standard methods have previously been used for the synthesis of nanoparticles that produce unhealthy waste. They are also considered unsafe and expensive methods. An alternative technology is needed to synthesize nanoparticles that consume less energy and are more environmentally friendly. In this research, CuO and TiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized, which produce good energy and no environmental pollution using an easy and fast method (electrochemical). Additionally, dye-sensitive solar cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated from CuO and TiO2 nanoparticles, which were synthesized by a new green method, and the pigments methylene blue as a chemical dye and chlorophyll as a natural dye. These DSSCs were characterized by their high ability to absorb ultraviolet energy, where the efficiency of energy conversion (ɳ) of ITO-CuO was approximately 3.69 and 2.61% with methylene blue dye and chlorophyll dye, respectively, while the efficiency of ITO-TiO2 was 3.20 with MB and 2.08% with chlorophyll. The results showed a significant progression of efficiency of energy conversion using methylene blue dye in both cells, and the DSSC using CuO was the best